Voice Behind AOL's 'You've Got Mail' Passes

Elwood Edwards, the iconic voice behind AOL’s 'You’ve Got Mail' alert, has passed away at the age of 74 due to complications from a stroke. Known for recording the famous AOL phrases in 1989 for $200, his voice became a symbol of the digital communication era in the 1990s, reportedly heard over 35 million times a day at AOL's peak. Edwards worked at WKYC-TV Studios in Cleveland as a camera operator and graphics staff, achieving minor celebrity status while leading a diverse career in broadcasting. His contribution to pop culture is commemorated by the 1998 film 'You’ve Got Mail,' starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, which was inspired by his famous phrase. Despite the lack of royalties, Edwards embraced his role in internet history, making appearances on shows like 'The Tonight Show.' Elwood Edwards leaves behind a legacy as a pivotal figure in the technological revolution of the internet age.